Line blind



Apfil 21, 1953 s. HAMER LINE BLIND med Nov. 23, 1945 IN V EN TOR. L elcm d \S. HaM r Patented Apr. 21, 1953 Leland namer jhong pile-remit to Paul A Calif.

. Dewhirst, Los Ang'les',

Application November 23, 1945,.Serial'No. 630507.

This invention has to do, with a line.- blind and it is a general object of the inventionto provide a simple, inexpensive. yet effectiveand practical line blind in the nature of an angle fitting and involving a single operating member.

I The usual line blind used to close client. on flow of fluid is connected in. the line as an insert between opposedpipe sections and,,further more, the usual line blind involves a plurality of clamping devices requiring, individual opera-- tion. in order toeither. set or release the blinding plate. I It is an object of my: present, invention to provide a simple yet practical and effective construction in a line blind which blind is useful in a. piping system such as a manifold in the; plate ofan angle fitting such as" an L or a T.

Another general object of my present inventionis to provide. a pipe line fitting of the general character referred to wherein there. is a single operating member such as a hand wheel, or the. like, which acts through suitable means to. bothclamp and release the blindingzplate so that. such, operations can be performed easily and quickly;

A. further object of my invention isto provide an improved and simplified actuating. means. in. a fitting of the character described. By my in vention I provide a simple screw means operated by a hand wheel, or the like, to move a head which in turn is coupled to a clamp member which en gages the blinding plate.

Another object of'my present invention is to provide a fitting, of the character mentioned which the clamp member which engagesthe blinding plate is of very simple construction and. in which the rods which engage the clamp mem-- he r to operate it are spaced in a manner to pass or accommodate the plate. The arrangement that I have provided in the present construction is such'that the plate extends between theoperating-rods of the clamp member, the rods being spaced apart far enough to accommodate the plate.

The various objects and features oi my in vention will be fully understood from the follow ll Claims. (Cl. 1 38- 89) ing detailed descriptionoi typicalpreferred forms. 7

and applications of the invention. throughout; which description reference is: made. to the; ac companying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a fitting embodying the present invention. Fig. 2 is, an end view of the structure with. parts of the hand, wheel broken away as indicatedby line 2--"-2 onFig. 1.. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detailed sectional vliewtaken substantially as indicated by line 3- 3 on: Fig; 2'.

2 Fig. l is a, view similar to a portion of "Fig, 3. showing a slightly modified form, of construction. Fig; 5 is an.enlarged detailed sectional viewtaken asindicated by line 5 -5011. Fig. 3, and-Fig.6 isa view similar to Fig. 5 showing a modified form of construction. M v a The device of the; present inventionis generally in the nature of a pipe line fitting, and is speci ncally concerned with a device commonlyknown as a line blind. The device that I have providedinvolves, generally; a body having a plurality of angularly related sections A. and 1?. The sections A and B are tubular so that they. form conduits or; carriers for fluid. and they are; angularly related; to fit. the particular location in. which the fitting is. to be; used. For general use it isdesired to; relate; the sectionsA and B so thatthey are at right angles. to. each other, inv which case the section; Amay be considered a. transverse-seetion while the section B may be considered a longitudinal section, In the particular torin. of the invention illustrated the transverse section A. is open at, both ends while the longitudinal section B; is open; only atits outer end, its; inner end being joined or; in communication with the. section A. intermediate its ends. The. section. A is provided; at its: ends with coupling means; ior making; connection. with pipe-sections or the. like. In. the; particular: case: illustrated coupling; flanges t0: -are shown: at the ends of the sectionwA. The section B is; joined; into or' is coupled with one side.- or section A and projects laterally therefrom to. carry the control-plate {The present inventi'on contemplates an angle fitting wherein the sections are. at any: desiredangle and it. also contemplates thatv it, may be in theform of an L as well as in the form-shown: inthe. drawings. The-construction that I have provided'involves, in addition to the body with sections A and i3 and; the 'controlplate G1,. a. clampmembe-r D which engages. the plate C to. clamprittothe body of the fitting, operating means E; and connecting means; F'between the means E. and; the; clamp. memberl).

The control plate C may, in practice,, vary as do; the control or blinding plates employed, in fittings or the general character underzconsideraition. In the: particular caseillustrated. -I have shown" a control plate. having two. end portions; one" a. closed end: portion H. and. theother an open end portion [2. The: open: end portion :2 has an apertureior opening; I3; in tobe income munieatio'n with. the. passage; or opening I! of the body section B when the plateiportion; 1:2 is: in operating position. as; shown throughout 5:5 the erawi-ng mine particular case illustrated the opening I3 is shown to be of the same diameter as the opening I. However, in practice there may be a variation or difference in size between the openings. In order to center the blind in the opening H of the body section stops I6 are provided between the closed end portion H and the open end portion l2 of the control plate 0.

In accordance with my invention the plate C is adapted to be clamped against a seat provided on the body of the fitting and in the particular case illustrated the outer or projecting end l of the body section B is finished to form the seat that receives the plate.

The clamp member D is, in effect, a continuation of the body section B and includes a body portion having its inner end 3| finished to form a clamp face to oppose the plate C and having coupling means in its outer end. In the case illustrated the coupling means is in the nature of a flange 32 on the outer end of the collar 30 corresponding, generally, with the flanges I0 of the body section A. In practice, any desired form of coupling or fastening means may be used on the fitting.

In practice I provide sealing means to seal the plate with the seat I5 and the clamping face 3|. Any suitable packing means may be employed to effect the desired seal. In Figs. 3 and 5 I have illustrated a sealing means involving 1 grooves or channels 35 in the seat and clamp face to carry packing rings 36 which project or protrude in a manner to engage and seal against the sides of the plate C. In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 6 the seat I5- is plain or without a groove and the clamp face 3| is without a groove. However, grooves 35*- are provided in the sides of the plate to carry packing rings 36 to engage and seal with the seat and clamping face.

The operating means that I have provided is located at the exterior of the body section A at one side thereof, preferably opposite the body section B, so that the axis of the operating means E coincides with that of the passage l4 in the body section B and the clamp member D, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. Further, I prefer to locate the operating means E entirely at the exterior of the body of the fitting so that it has no parts entering or projecting into the fluid passages provided in the fitting. The operating means E that I have provided involves a single operating member 40, a screw member 4| operated by the member 40, a head 42 operated by the screw member and a stud 43 carried by the body of the fitting and cooperating with the screw member 4|.

The operating member may be any suitable part to be engaged manually for turning or to be engaged by an operating tool, or the like. In practice I may make the operating member 40 in the form of a hand wheel, as shown in the drawings, so that it can be conveniently operated at any time.

The stud 43 is carried by a projection provided on the exterior of the body section A opposite the body section B and projects therefrom to carry the screw member 4|. In the particular construction illustrated the stud 43 is externally threaded throughout its length and its inner end is threaded into a socket 5| provided in the projection 50 and the stud is fixed to the projection by welding at 52. c

The screw member 4| is operated by the member 40. In fact, it is preferably rigid with the member 40 to turn therewith. The screw member 4| is shown as projecting from the hub portion of the hand wheel forming member 40 and it has a central threaded opening 53 receiving the projecting end portion of the stud 43. With the construction just described as the hand wheel 40 is turned the screw member 4| is rotated on the stud and is thus moved lengthwise thereof.

The head 42 surrounds the screw member 4| so that the screw member can rotate within it. However, the head is coupled to the screw member to move longitudinally therewith. In the particular case illustrated the head is confined between a shoulder 60 provided where the screw member 4| joins the hand wheel and a flange 6| provided on the projecting end portion of the screw member 4|.

In practice I prefer to provide anti-friction means or bearings 62 between the head and the parts 60 and 6|. It is preferred to pack or seal the bearings 62 and, therefore, I provide sealing rings 63 between the ends of the head and the parts 60 and 6| In practice it is desirable to lubricate the mechanism that I have described, that is, the stud 43 and screw member 4|. In the construction shown I provide a grease connection 10 at the hand wheel for introducing a suitable lubricant to the screw member 4| and the flange BI is provided with a sleeve-like extension 1| which overhangs the projection 50 and is sealed therewith by a sealing ring 72.

The connecting means that I have provided couples the head 42 and the operating means E with the clamp member D so that the clamp member moves with the head. In accordance with my present invention the coupling means in volves four rods 89 which connect to bosses 8| provided on the collar portion 30 of the clamp member D and a flange 82 provided on the head 42. I arrange the rods so that they extend parallel with the axis of the body section B and the operating means E and so that two rods extend past each side of the section A in extending from the head 42 to the clamp member D. The rods are all preferably arranged as close as pos-' sible to the body section A if they extend past it. However, since the bosses 8| are on the collar 33 which is at the outer side of the plate C at least'two of the rods, that is, at least the pair of rods at one side of the section A must be spaced far enough apart to pass the plate C. In the particular construction that I have shown both pairs of rods, that is, the rods at each side of the section A are spaced far enough apart to pass the plate C so that the plate C can be passed into and out of position from either side of the body section.

. The rods 80 may be attached to the bosses 8| in any suitable manner. For instance, as shown in the drawings they may be threaded at their ends to screw thread into openings provided in the bosses and, if desired, they may be shouldered at 93 as shown in Fig. 4 to seat against the bosses. In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings the rods have threaded end portions 9| which slidably extend through openings 52 provided in the head flange 82 and nuts 93 are threaded on the part 9| at each side of the flange 82. Through this construction it is possible to adjust the relationship or spacing between the flange 82 and the clamp member D and it is possible to bring the clamp member D into the desired aligned position for gnaw -r proper operation. the anodised form or in.- ventiori in Fig. 4 the threaded parts 91 are of reduceddiameter so that rods have shoulders 95 that engage one sideof the flange E2 while nuts 93" are threaded on the portions 9% tobear against other side or the flange aeco ance with my invention L preferably provided dies 9 3 for the'rods 8Q g ides may be the nature of bosses or o the sides 'of -the body section ei-ethe r ds pass, which bosses have one tags 91- that srdamr passthe rods. constrii rods are simported rorrree vr-nnt 'n-gtliwis of the long-it ddinal sect-ion B and s id inter D and the head 4' or the means E against rota n and proper alignmerit, and sothat they o dream-mite to move lengthwise of the body section B;-

Iii operating tIie -struct drthat I have provided the desired sad plate is arranged p'osi tion between the seat 1 5 and clamp face 31- and the hand wheel 4%] is one "ted so that tin; so o member 51- is moved out on the side 43. moves the head t2 out or mine direction moi-'- cated by th- W Fig 3. outward movemerit of mono cts throng he rods-2!!) to move the clamp member B intoclamping 'engagcment with the plate C so that the plate: is tightly clarri pcdbetween the member D and end: of body ecti'on B, When it is desired to release the pl'ateto change its position or to re lace it the member All is rotated in the opposite -direction, which: action causes the: clamp member D to be moved away from the plate (2 freeing the plate so thatit can be manipulated: as desired.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set. forth, but. wish to reserve to myself variations or modificaticnsthati may appear to those skilled in the art and fall. within the scope; of the following claims Having described my invention, I claim:

A device of the character described incliniing, a. body having a transverse tubular section and; a longitudinal tubular section projecting from one side of the'trarrsver'sc section; a control plate" engaging. the" longitudinal section, a clamp member engaging the plate, operating: means at the. opposite side or the transverse sectiongxand connecting means between the; operating means and" clamp member, theoperating means includ ing; a stud projecting from the body, a screw member threaded on the stud, a head surronnd+ ing the screw member and confined to the: said screw member to move? therewith axially of the stud when the screw member is rotated, and operating means for the screw member;

2. A device of. the character described including, a body having a transverse section and a longitudinal section projecting from one side of the transverse section, a control plate engaging the longitudinal section, a clamp member engagmg the plate, operating means at the opposite side of the transverse section, and connecting means between the operating means and clamp member, the operating means including, a stud projecting from the body, a screw member threaded on the stud, a head surrounding the screw member and confined to the said screw member to move therewith axially of the stud when the screw member is rotated, antifriction bearings between the head and screw member and operating means for the screw member.

3. A device of the character described includ ing, a body having a transverse section and a clampmember, theoperating means including), a

stii'd projectingfrom: the. body, a screw member threaded onthe stud, a head surrounding. this screw member and confined to the member to riiov'e therewith axially" of the studwhen the screw member is rotated, and operating: ris for: the screw member, the head: hating a flange carrying the connecting means-.-

4. A device of the character" described:

ing, a body having a transverse sectionand a longitudinal section projecting from one: side of the trans e section, a control plate engaging the longitudinal section, a clamp: member. en-- gaging the plate, operating means at the opposite side of the transverse section, and connectin means between the operating means and clamp member, the" operating means including, a. stud projecting from the body, a screw member threaded on the stud, a head surrounding the screw member, the screw member having a engaging one end of the head, and an operating. member for the member engaging; the-other end of trier-lead. I A device or the character describedinclud i-ng, a body having a transverse section and a longitudinal section projecting from one side. of the transverse section,- a control plate en agin the longitudinal section, a clamp member ongaging the plate, operating. means at the op-= posite side of the. transverse section, and com necting means between the operating means and clamp member, the operating means: including, a stud: projecting from the body, a screw member threaded on the stud, a head surrounding the screw member, the screwmembcr having a flange engaging one end or the head, an operating linemher for the screw member engaging the other end or the head, and sealing means between the ends 0% the" head and the flange and operating member.

6. A device of the character described macs mg, a body havinga transverse section and a longitudinal section projectmg from one sideor the transverse section, a control plate engaging the longitudinar section, a clam member engaging the plate, operating means at the opposite side of the transverse section, and connecting means between the operating means. and clamp member, the operatingmeans including, a stud projecting from the body, a screw member threaded on the stud,- a head surrounding the screw member and confined to the said screw member to move therewith axially of the stud when the screw member is rotated, and op erating means for the screw member, the screw member havin an extension having sealed en gagefiierit' with the body.

7. A device of the character described includ mg, a now handling body having a elongate tubular section and a second elongate tubular section in eommumcanon with the first section and projecting from" one side thereof and at right angles thereto, the second section having a seat face at its outer end, a clamp member shiftable relative to the body longitudinally of the second section and having a clamp portion opposite the said face, a flow controlling plate engaged between the seat face and said clamp portion, and operating means for shifting the said clamp member relative to the body to clamp the plate to said face including, a manually engageable member on the exterior of the body at the side thereof opposite that at which the second section is located and movable relative to the body, a threaded member carried by the body concentric with the second section and projecting from the exterior of the first section and carrying the manually engageable member, a tie member at the exterior of the body connected to the clamp member and extending therefrom to said opposite side of the first section, and means cooperatively connecting the said manually engageable member and the tie member whereby to effect clamping movement of the clamp member relative to the body.

8. A device of the character described including, a flow handling body having a first elongate tubular section and a second elongate tubular section in communication with the first section and projecting from one side thereof and at right angles thereto, the second section having a seat face at its outer end, a clamp member shiftable relative to the body and having a clamp portion opposite the said face, a flow controlling plate engaged between the seat face and said clamp portion, and operating means for shifting the said clamp member relative to the body to clamp the plate to said face including, two rigid elements, one rigid with the first section of the body, concentric with the second section and projecting from the first section at the side thereof opposite that at which the second section occurs, the other element being connected to the clamp member and extending therefrom at the exterior of the body to said opposite side of the first body section, and a single manually engageable member on the exterior of the first body section at said opposite side thereof cooperatively connecting the said rigid elements and having threaded engagement with one of them whereby operation of the manually engageable member effects clamping movement of the clamp member relative to the body.

9. A device of the character described including, a flow handling body having a first elongate tubular section and a second elongate tubular section in communication with the first section and projecting from one side thereof and at, right angles thereto, the second section having a seat face at its outer end, a clamp member shiftable relative to the body and having a clamp portion opposite the said face, a fiow controlling plate engaged between the seat face and said clamp portion, and operating means for shifting the said clamp member relative to the body to clamp the plate to said face including, a. single manually engageable member at the exterior of the body at the side thereof opposite that at which the second section is located and movable relative to the body, a screw projecting from the exterior of the first section concentric with the second section and carrying the manually engageable member, a plurality of tie members at the exterior of the body connected to .the clamp member and extending therefrom to said opposite side of the first section, guides on the exterior of the body slidably supporting the tie members for reciprocating movement lengthwise of the second section and transversely of the first section, and means cooperatively connecting the said manually engageable member and the tie members whereby to effect clamping movement of the clamp member relative to the body.

10. A device of the character described including, a flow handling body having a first tubular section and a second tubular section in communication with the first section and projecting from one side thereof and at right angles thereto, the second section having a seat face at its outer end, a clamp member shiftable relative to the body and having a clamp portion opposite the said face, a flow controlling plate engaged between the seat face and said clamp portion, and operating means for shifting the said clamp member relative to the body to clamp the plate to said face including, a threaded part projecting from the exterior of the first section at the side opposite that at which the second section occurs, a tie member connected to the clamp member and extending therefrom at the exterior of the body to the said opposite end of the first section, and a manually operable member having threaded engagement with said part and connected with said tie mem-v ber whereby operation of'the manually operable member effects shifting of the tie member relative to the body and clamping movement of the clamp member relative to the said seat face.

11. A device of the character described including, a flow handling body having a first tubular, section and a second tubular section in communication with the first section and projecting from one side thereof and at right angles thereto, the second section having a seat face at its outer end, a clamp member shiftable relative to the body and having a clamp portion opposite the said face, a fiow controlling plate engaged between the seat face and said clamp portion, and operating means for shifting the said clamp member relative to the body to clamp the plate to said face including, a threaded part rigid with and projecting from the first section at the exterior thereof and at theside thereof opposite that at which the second section occurs, a tie member rigidly connected to the clamp member and extending therefrom at the exterior of the body to said opposite side of the first section, and a manually operable member threaded to said threaded part to shift relative to the body axially of the second section when rotated, the tie member having a part rigid therewith and engaging the manually operable member whereby the tie member is shifted relative to the body and the clamp memher is operated relative to said seat when the manually operable member is rotated.

. LELAND S. HAMER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

